Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability which may cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Besides certain essential symptoms, a lot of ASD individuals also suffer the comorbidity of gut microbiota dysbiosis, which possibly causes a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) difficulties. Interestingly, evidence has indicated that behavioral output may be modulated through the communication between the central nervous system and gut microbiota via the gut-brain axis. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and n-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are structurally and functionally crucial components for the brain, and the state of n-3 PUFAs also affects the gut microbiota. However, how varying intake ratios of n-3/n6 PUFAs affect the gut microbiota composition in ASDs is not well-understood. Pregnant female Wistar rats with intraperitoneal administration of valproate acid (VPA) at embryonic day (E) 12.5 and their male offspring were grouped and fed three diets: a control chow (VPA group), omega-3 deficient (A group), and n-3/n6 (1:5) diet (B group). The diet of pregnant female Wistar rats with intraperitoneal administration of saline and their male offspring was a control chow (normal group). Microbial composition and species abundance were investigated accordingly by the 16S rRNA gene-based metagenomics analysis on the fecal samples. Results showed that fecal microbial abundance was decreased because of VPA administration in the period of pregnancy, and the changing pattern of gut microbiota was similar to that reported in ASD patients. Furthermore, the n-3/n6 (1:5) diet increased the fecal microbial abundance and decreased the elevated Firmicutes. In conclusion, n-3/n6 PUFAs (1:5) diet supplementation may alter gut microbiota composition in VPA-exposed rats. This study put forward a new strategy for the intervention and treatment of autism by n-3/n-6 PUFAs ratio supplementation intakes.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders and continuously shows defects in social communication and social interaction in various environments, a limited, repetitive act, interest, or activity (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, DSM-V)
The present study aimed to investigate the influence of varying n-6/n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) dietary ratios on the gut microbiota in an early life rat model of ASD
The effects of dietary n3/n-6 PUFAs on the gut microbiota were investigated in an autistic rat model using 16S rRNA sequencing
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders and continuously shows defects in social communication and social interaction in various environments, a limited, repetitive act, interest, or activity (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, DSM-V). In one of the prenatal-induced models, the medical condition of the pregnant rats with valproic acid (VPA) administration exposed its offspring’s ASD-like behaviors, which had connections with changes in gut microbiota related to various inflammations and endocrines in the intestinal canals as well as the nerve system [4]. Studies have reported the alternations of gut microbiota in ASDs qualitatively and quantitively The characteristics of such gut microbiota dysbiosis include the increased Clostridium species and genus-level Desulfovibrio, the decreased bifidobacteria, and the translocation of intestinal bacteria [9]. Oral administration with human symbiotic Bacteroides fragilis in the autism rat model of the maternal immune activation (MIA) can improve the intestinal permeability and change the microbic composition. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of varying n-6/n-3 PUFAs dietary ratios on the gut microbiota in an early life rat model of ASD. The mother rats were parentally treated with 400 mg/kg VPA at embryonic day (E) 12.5, and their offspring were used for further investigations
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